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Harvey Kleeb, 71

Harvey H. Kleeb, the third child of Harvey H. and Jardis Amundsen Kleeb, was born Dec. 12, 1940, at their French Table home near Weissert. Harvey passed away quietly at his home in Broken Bow May 27, 2012.He attended elementary school at Elton located off the north edge of French Table where he, like most children in attendance, rode his horse (Chief ) to school every day. He later went to school at Weissert, and finally Broken Bow High School where he graduated in 1959. Harvey entered the Air Force and was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When Harvey was 15 years of age he became a member of the Weissert Church of God and was baptized in the Middle Loup River near Gates. He was later confirmed in St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and, still later, transferred his membership to Our Savior Lutheran Church ELCA. July 14, 1962, in Missouri Valley, Iowa, Harvey married Julie Muhs, a union to which three children were born; Michael Harvey, Sylvie Ann and Laurinda Lee.Upon discharge from the Air Force in 1963, Harvey and his family moved back to Broken Bow, where he went to work for Custer Public Power. He maintained his employment at CCPD until 1972, when he began employment at Jennie M. Melham Medical Center as Plant Engineer. He was there when the first shovel of dirt was turned for the new hospital and remained there until his retirement in 2005.Harvey's other 'job' was with his own "Moonlight Electric" where he did electrical and home air conditioning work in and outside of Broken Bow. Harvey took great pride in the fact that his son Mike joined him in this 'home-grown' business learning the electrical trade himself at "Moonlight Electric". Harvey was actively involved in youth baseball, the Jaycees, Elks Lodge and was a volunteer with the Broken Bow Fire Department for 43 years. During his many years with the Elks he held all chairs including trustee and often volunteered for many Lodge activities. Harvey was also very proud of the fact that he earned a pilot's license. Although Harvey thoroughly enjoyed all of his activities his first love remained also his last - "Jennie" (Jennie M. Melham Medical Center). Upon his retirement from "Jennie", Harvey and his wife Julie spent many hours at Memory Lane Farm, originally the property of his grandfather (Albert Kleeb). The lawns around Memory Lane Farm always looked like a park. Harvey had his tractors and would putter with them and other old machinery to his heart's content. Another moment of great pride came when, in 2006, "Memory Lane Farm" was a recipient of the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award for being 100 years in the same family. The plaque hangs proudly in his house today. His two daughters and two granddaughters were always the 'apples of his eye'. His Aunt Ellen also held a special spot in his heart and his sister and cousins always brought more fun and stories to make many days seem a little brighter. And then, of course, there was his wife of 49 years, 10 months and 13 days. Harvey never ceased to be amazed that Julie took even more pride in family history than Harvey did himself. Harvey is survived by his wife Julie, of Broken Bow; daughters, Sylvie (Jon) Sazama of Kearney, and Laurinda Kleeb of Broken Bow; granddaughters, Michaela Williams of Kearney and Courtney Kleeb of Broken Bow. He's also survived by a sister, Edith Gorley of Las Vegas, Nev.Harvey was preceded in death by son, Michael Harvey; parents Harvey and Jardis Kleeb; brother Eddie Kleeb and sister-in-law Donnamae Kleeb; grandparents, Albert and Sylvie Kleeb; aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 31, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. in Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow with Minister Kathy Salts officiating. Burial will be at the French Table Cemetery east of Broken Bow. Memorials are suggested to the French Table Cemetery or the Donor's Choice.Published in Custer County Chief, May 31, 2012